Liquid cooled bearing



April 18, 1944.

Filed Nov; 9, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 1 @fedeli/Z April 18, 1944. R H WHlTELEY 2,346,805

LIQUID COOLED BEARING -of fa, self-lubricating,

Patented Apr. 18, 1944 LIQUm cooLEn BEARING Robert H. Whiteley, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Randall Graphitey Products Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application November 9, 1942, Serial No. 464,988

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to liquid cooled bearings, and is particularly concerned with the provision of improved bearings of the self-lubricating type which are also adapted to be cooled by the iiow of a cooling liquid.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of an improved liquid cooled and selflubricating bearing, which is adapted to be selfaligning'and which is adapted to operate with a minimum amount of noise.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a bearing having provision for cooling, which is adapted to be used with various types of cooling liquids, such as water, alcohol, or anti-freeze solutions, such as ethylene glycol, glycerine, etc,

and in which the cooling liquid is adapted to `come into direct contact with the bearing bush- Ving so as to remove heat most effectively from the point of its generation.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved self-lubricating bearing having provision for permitting the ow of a cooling rliquid through a portion of the reservoir of the bearing in contact with the bearing bushing so that the bushing may be constantly cooled by the application of a cooling liquid.

Another object of the invention is the provision r'of an improved self-lubricating, liquid cooled bearing of the type in which the reservoir is -provided with a partition so that two chambers are provided, one of which may be utilized for VA-t'rsupply of lubricant, and the other of which :may .be utilized for a supply f lubricant, land "the other of which may be utilized for cooling liquid.

Another` object of the invention is the provision of an improved self-lubricating bearing which fis adapted to be operated under relatively high 1- temperature conditions by means of special cool- -ing arrangements which are adapted to keep the bearing cooled under the most adverse operating conditions.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a liquid cooled bearing which is small as com- -pared with the liquid cooled bearings of the prior art, and which requires a minimum amount yof raw material and a minimum amount of labor inits construction, so that the cost of the bearing may be reducedto a minimum.

Anotherobject of the invention is the provision temperature-regulated bearing, which is sturdy, simple, capable of eco- ;nomical and eflicient lubrication under high temperature conditions, and which may also be used -under low temperature conditions by supplying companying this specification,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a bearing constructed according to the invention, with the shaft shown in cross section, on a plane at right angles to the axis of the shaft;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a View in partial elevation and partial section of the reservoir member of the' bearing, looking upward toward the oil cup aperture from the bottom; y

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 5-5, lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the reservoir bearing, taken on the same plane as Fig. 5, showing the details of construction of this member.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, thebearing structure II] preferably includes a bearing bushing I I, a reservoir member I2, and a supporting housing, indicated in its entirety at I3, and comprising a pair of parts I4 and I5.

The bearing bushing is preferably'of the type comprising a tubular memberof metal, having a substantially cylindrical inner bearing surface I6, and an outer surface I1, which may also be cylindrical. l, y

The inner bearing surface I6 of the bushing I I may be provided with a plurality of grooves I8, which are preferably of the type that extend,` at least in some measure, diagonally of the bearing surface with respect to the` axis of the bearing, and also transversely and longitudinally. For example, the grooves I8 in theernbodiment of Fig. 2 are of substantially `elliptical shape, the elliptical groove formations intersecting each At predetermined.l intersections the extending through the wall of the bushing I I into the lubricant reservoir 20. f

The grooves I8 and apertures I9 are iilied with an initially plastic carbon compound' containing The porous carbon compound in the aperturey I9 and in the grooves I8 serves as a lubricant-conducting medium, and it conducts lubricant from' the reservoir 20 through the aperture I9, and

longitudinally of the grooves I8, to' all parts of the porous lubricating compound.

From thence the lubricants spread overthe bearing surface of the shaft 2l, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, and the shaft is constantlyy lubricated in an eifective way by the continuous supply of lubricant toits surface.

The porous compoundhas the additional property of increasing its ow of lubricant when it becomes heated, so that lthere is arr additional supply of lubricantwhen the bearing needs it under higher operating temperatures.

The bearing bushing I I has a liquid-tight frictional t in the cylindricalbores 22, 23 ateach of the ends of the reservoir member I2, into which the bearing bushing pressed.

The bearing bushingr II may be made of any suitable bearing metal, such as brass or bronze, but the reservoir l2 is preferably made of cast metal, such as castiron, although in some embodiments of the invention the reservoir member may be made of a plastic, such as Tente or Lucite.

The reservoir member I2- is partially spherical in shape, being provided with a pair o f partially spherical annular bearing surfaces 24, 25. These bearing surfaces are adapted to engage complementary inner spherical bearing surfaces 26, 2l located on the housing members I4l and I5.

It should be noted that the annular bearing surfacesY 26, 2l arenarrower in width than the bearing surfaces 24,25 so as to give-the reservoir member a limited amount of universal movement inside the housing members I4, i5.

The ball-shaped reservoir may be provided with a substantially cylindrical surface 28 between the annular spherical surfaces 25, 2l, and at each end the ball-shaped member is preferably provided with a cylindrical extension 29, 30. i

The aligned bores 22, 23 in the ball-shaped reservoir communicate With two inner chambers 20 and 3|, which are separated by a partition 32. These chambers are utilized, one for a supply of lubricant, and the other for passage of a coolant, such as Water or any ofthe other cooling Vliquids above-mentioned.

Either of the chambers mightbe used for either the lubricant or coolant; but the partition 32 is preferably so shaped that coolant-conducting pipes 33, 34 and alubricant filling pipe 35 may all be disposed substantially centrally of the bearing structure.

Thus the partition 32 in Fig. 2 is located laterally of the center of the bearing, that is, toward the upper side of Fig. 2, at each end, so as t'o leave space for a threaded aperture 36 at veach side of 'the bau-shaped reservoirfer trie pipe -3'4 andthepipe33.

At a point intermediate the end', portions of the partition 32, whichcurve's downwardly in Fig. 2, at 31. form a uridediu-'shap'ed pori-.idrica in the partition, which extends downward in Fig. 2 sufciently to provide space for a threaded aperture 39 in the top of the ball-shaped reservoir member on the upper side of the partition.

This threaded aperture 39 is utilized for receiving the lubricant-conducting pipe 35, which carries an oil cup 4i), provided with a spring pressed cover 4 I.

Due tothe particular shape of the' partition 32, the oil pipe 35 may be disposed centrally of the bearing, and it communicates with a reservoir 20; and at the same time the coolant pipes 33, 34 may also be disposed centrally of the bearing between the bolts of the housing, While they, nevertheless, communicate with the coolant reservoi-r 3l;

The partition 32 is provided with a through bere ai, which is aligned with the bores 2z, 23,

and which is accurately machined so that thev partition frictionally engages the outside of thel bushing. II to form a liquid-tight partitionl between the tW'o chambers 29,31.

It should be understood that in some embodiments 'of the invention the reservoir will be prfvided with flexible coolant pipes or conduits 33, 34'; but in other embodiments, after the bearing has been set vin place and secured, it may utilize relatively stur pipes, er the relativi-,1y stiff pipes may be suiciently flexible, due t0 their length, to permit a limited amount of universal movemerit.

The housing membersy I4, |5l may serve respectively as a cover member and a base member for supporting' thev ball reservoir and bushing'.`

The base`-member I5 is a, cast metal member provided with laterally projecting attaching flangese, 44, h'avihg oval apertures 45 for the reception of screw bolts, the oval apertures permitting a certain amount of lateral adjustment. The housing member I5 has upwardly extending portions 46, 46 ateach end, and these upwardly extending portions terminate in a flat surface 4 1, 48.

The upwardly extending portions 45,- 46 may be in the forni of a thin shell o r Wall for the `purpose of savingmaterial, and the body lflange 48er the lower housing member I5 is provided with four apertures 49 for receiving the -four screw bolts 50, which secure the housing par-ts together.

The bottom of the body flange 4 8 may beV provided with a relatively square socket or a noncircular socket 5I for receiving the square'head 52 of each bolt, thus preventing the turning, of the bolt as the nuts 53, 54A are driven home on the' spring washer 55. i,

Each wen 45 .or asis provided with en 'emerged half circular groove 56 for passing they pipe or 34v an'd permitting a limited amount df universal movement of the ballin' the lhousing member, even when the pipe is attached.

The upper housing member I4 isalsoprovided with half circular grooves 51, which, Whex corn'- bined with the lower housing, furinsY enlarged,

apertures 5B for the pipes' 33, l34.

vThe 'lower surface 59 of. the lower housing member I5 may be relieved at certain points, but is preferably provided 'with a Aplljrieslllrfade '6'0 surrounding the bolt apertures 45fat" achend for jer'ig'ag'er'ne'ntl with a support, to which the vbearing is 'to be secured;

between vthe Wall portions 46 and u the ivfeif vhousing iiieiiibei l5 is provided with partially 'Spherical larid z:lid/1f 'l''lr 'U'E surfaces 21 spaced from each other longitudinally of the shaft and arranged in such manner that these partially spherical surfaces are all located on the same radius, that is,` theradius on which the outer spherical surfaces 24.and 25 of the ball reservoir vare formed.

The upperv housing member I4 is similar in construction in that it also preferably comprises a shell with thin outer walls 6I, 62 at each end surroundingthe four bolts I50 and curved concentrically to the bolts and terminating in a ilat upper wall 63 at the top of each end.

The upper wall 64 between the at portions 63 is substantially spherical, and it is provided with an enlarged oval aperture 65 at the center top for passing the oil conduit and permitting universal movement of the` ball reservoir.

The wallsV` 6I, 62v of thel upper'housing are joined by the central spherical portion 64 and provided with inner partially spherical bearing 'surfaces B3, 61 (see Fig. 5) for engaging the top ofv the ball. These partially spherical surfaces 66, 61 are'half annular and parallel to each other 'and formed onV the same radius as the surfaces 25 and 21 in the lower housing member.

Thus the ball is engaged atthe top and the bottom at each" end withan annular partially spherical surface so that it may have a universal movement in the upper and lower housing members. The depth of these spherical formations in the' housing members is preferably such that there is a clearance or 'crack 68 between the upper and lower housing members when they are placed together as shown in Fig. 1, so that a predetermined pressure may be placed on the ball reservoir by the upper and lower' housing members.

Thisprevents rattling, and spring washers 55 may be used to keep the pressure at a predeterfmined amount so as to take up wear and hold the ball reservoir for nonrattling universal movement at all times.

The lock nuts 53', 54 are adaptedl to hold their adjustment on the bolts at all times so that the end thrust of the spring washers may be used for placing a predetermined resilient pressure on the housing halves.

Referring to Figs. 4 to 6, these are' the other views showing details of construction of the bearing.v It will be observed that the cooling liquid may come in at one side of the bearing into contact with the bearing bushing, and may then pass out the other side of the bushing. In some embodiments of the invention the partition, as 55 shown in Fig. 4, may be placed in a diierent position, rotated 90 degrees from the present position so that the coolant pipes will be located in the plane of the present location of the lubri- `cant pipe, and the lubricant fpipe located where one coolant pipe is shown in Fig 4.

By means of this partition construction the coolant pipes and lubricant pipe 35 may again be disposed centrally of the bearing, making the assembly symmetrical and giving it adequate strength at all sides.

Furthermore, the piping arrangements do not interfere with the symmetrical location of the par'rtially spherical and annular bearing surfaces on the ball and the housing halves. l

The operation ofmy self-lubricating liquid cooled bearing is as follows: The-plugs 14 in the through apertures I9 of the bearing bushing H are always located to `communicate with the lubricant'reservoir 20, no such plugs' being provided 75 in the bushing wall, where the coolant reservoir 3 I engages the bushing.

Porous carbon compound 15 in #the grooves I8 serves to conduct lubricant along .the grooves from the plugs 14, which conduct the lu-bricant from the oil reservoir. 20. Thus the entire bearing surface I3 is provided with lubricant from the reservoir. -v I 'Ihe plugs Mare preferably symmetrically located with respect to the network of grooves I8 so that all parts of the bearing will be fed in the same way.

The reservoir 20 is preferably filled with a supply of lubricant, which meltsV at a little above the usual operating temperature, such as Vaseline, and this lubricant may be melted at the time it is placed in thel cup 40, to pass down into the reservoir 20 by means of the pipe 35.

The coolant pipes 33, 34 may connect to any type of radiator capable of dissipating the heat of the `coolant or a constantI in the supply of cooling liquid, such as water from the water supply, may be connected to pass in one pipe 34 and out the other pipe 33.

' In some embodiments ofV the invention there will beV a circulating system for the coolant, including the reservoir 20, the pipes 33, 34, a radiator, andaliquid pump.

The coolant, being in direct contact with the exterior surfacev of the .bearing bushing, it is adapted to absorb heat more quickly and to carry it away more effectively than any of the devices of the prior art. v i y Although the coolant does not engage the full outer area of the bushing, the bushing is adapted to Iconduct heat from those portions where it is not engaged-by coolant tothose portions Where the coolant directly engages the bushing, and there is only a sli-ght differential of temperature between the diierent parts of the bushing.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodi- -ment of my invention, many modications may be made without departing from` the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself. of all changes within thescope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: r

1.111 a self-lubricating liquid cooled bearing, the combination of a bearing bushing provided with grooves and through conduits communicat- -ing with said grooves, said grooves and through conduits `being filled with porous carbon lubricant conducting composition, a reservoir member having a pair of aligned bores for engaging the outside of said bushing, .said reservoir member -having an enlargement formed intermediate its ends, and said enlargementhaving a pair of recesses formed therein to form chambers when said reservoir is secured about said bushing, one of said chambers connecting with said through apertures in said bushing, and the other of said `chambers having inlet and outlet ports for admission .and discharge of cooling liquid, said .chambers being separated by a partition laterally curved at its central portion, whereby thel liquid -outlet and inlet ports and a 4lubricant inlet port may be located centrally of said reservoir member. z

2. In a liquid cooledvbearing of the reservoir type, the combination of a bearing bushing having itsv bearing .surface provided with grooves and .having i aperturesleading 4from certain of said grooves through; said bushing, saidV apertures and said grooves being illled witnan;initially'plastic porous lubricant conducting compound baked' in place, and' a reservoirxibody, said' reservoir body having'three inwardly extending anges separatedb'y annular chambers, and.` saidr, inwardly ex.- tending flanges terminating at the walls of aligned bores for receiving said bus-hing, said bushing having a li'duideti-ght fricti'onal nt insaid bores; singler conduitmeans communicating with one of said: chambers. to. providen a supply ofi lu= bricant, and inlet and outlet conduit means communicating with thev other of said chambers' to supply a liquid. coolant, saidporousca-rbon conducting members ini said apertures communi'- cating with, that portionzof the reservoir housing having the first-mentionedchamber for luibri# cant whereby the 1bearing. surface is constantly supplied: with lubricant and maintained at a pre-V determined temperature b-y meanslof the coolant in the otherv chamber of said reservoir housing, the coolantbeing in: direct` contact. with the ex'- teriorof saidbus-hing.

3. In a liquid cooled bearing of the reservoir type, the combination of a bearing bushing haviing itsbearing surface providedwith grooves and having. apertures leadingv from certain of said grooves through said bushing, said apertures and said grooves beingl lledwith an initially plastic porous lubricant conducting 'compound baked in place, and. a reservoir body, saidV reservoir body having three inwardly extending ilanges separated by annular chambers, and said inwardly extending flanges. terminating at the wal-lsr of aligned bores for receiving said bushing, said bushing having a liquidi-tightfrictional fit in said bores, single conduit means: communicating with one ofLsaid chambers to provide as'upply of lubricant, and inlet and outlet conduit means communicating with vthe other of said chambers to supply a liquid coolant, said porous carbon conducting members in said apertures communicat ing with that portion of the reservoir housing having the vfirst-mentioned chamber for lubril cant whereby the bearing surface is constantly supplied with lubricant. 'and -maintained at apre-1 determined temperature by means of the coolant in the other chamberoffsaid reservoir housing, the coolant being in 'direct contact with, th'e exterior of said bushing, two of 'said inwardly extending langes being located at theends of said reservoir, and the other of said inwardly extending flanges being located intermediatethev ends'.

4. In a liquid cooled bearing of the reservoir type, the combination of a bearing bushing hav.- in-g its bearing surfac'eprovided with grooves and having apertures leading from` certain of said grooves through said bushing', said apertures and said grooves being Ifilled withy an initially plastic porous lubricant conducting compound baked in place, and a` reservoir body, said reservoir body having three inwardly extending flanges separated by annular `chambers, and said inwardly ex"- tendin'g `flanges terminating at the Walls of aligned bores for receiving said bushing, said bushing having a, liquid-'tight friction'al-nt in said' bores, single conduit means communicating with one lof said'chambers to provide a supply of lubricant, and inlet and 'outlet conduit means communi- `eating with 'the other of said' chambers to sup ply a liquid coolant, said porous carbon conducting members in said apertures communicating with that 'portion ofthe-reservoir housing. having the lrst'mentione'd chamber lforlubricant wherebytthe'bearn'gfsurface is constantly supplied with lubricant and maintained at. a predetermined temperature; by means:l ofthe coolantinthe; other 'chamber of said., reservoir housing, the, coolant being indirect contact with thei exterior. off` said bushing., two of said inwardly extendingrflanges being located at the ends of said-reservoir, and the other of said inwardly extending flanges. being located intermediate the ends, and-saidlatteriin- Wardly/extending flange having a laterally curved portion whereby the, conduits communicatingwitb the grooved yportions for lubricant and. coolant may be locatedl centrally of the reservoiry body..

5. Ifna liquid cooled bearing of the reservoir type, the combination-of a bearing-bushing having its bearingsurface provided withr grooves and having apertures leading from certain of said grooves. throughsaid bushing, said apertures and said grovesybeing filled with an initially plastic porous lubricant conducting compound baked in placeand a reservoir body, said reservoir body having three inwardly extending nanges sepaf rated by annular chambers, and said inwardly extending flanges terminating at the walls 'o f aligned.y bores for receiving said bushing, said bushing having a liquid-tight frictional t in said bores, single conduitv means communicating, with one-of saidchambers 'to provide a supply of lubrica'nt', and" inlet and. outlet conduit means communicating with the other of said chambers to supply a liquid coolant, saidv porous carbon conducting members in said apertures communlc'at'.- ing with that portion of the reservoir housing having the first-mentioned chamber for lubricant whereby the bearing surface is constantly' sup-jplied with lubricant and maintained at a prede;-

termined temperature by means rof the coolant the other chamber of said reservoir housing, the coolant being in direct contact with the exterior of saidbu'shing, two of' said inwardly extending flanges being locatedv at the endsof said reservoir. and the other of said inwardly extending flanges being located intermediate the ends, and means for supporting said reservoir,v comprising a pair of housing members, said housing members being formed with a pair ofv annular partially spherical engaging surfaces, and said reservoir having complementary engagingV surfaces of greater Width whereby the reservoir is mounted. for universal movement in the housing.

6. In av liquid 'cooled bearing of the reservoir type, the combination of a bearing bush-ing hav-ing its Ibearingl surface provided with grooves and having, apertures leading from certain of 'sa-id grooves through said bushing, said aperturesan'd said grooves being filled with an initially plastic porous lubricant' conducting compound ba/kedin place, anda reservoir body, said reservoir. body having three inwardly extending flanges separated by -annular chambers, and said inwardly extending anges terminating atl the walls ofV aligned bores for receiving said bushing, said vbushing-hav"- ing'a liquid-tight frictional nt in said'bores, single conduit means communicating with one of said chambers to provide a supply of lubricant, and inlet and outlet conduit means communicating with the other of said chambers to supply afliquid coolant, said porous carbon conducting, members in said apertures communicating with that por'- tion of the reservoir housingA having the. rst.- mentioned chamber for lubricant whereby-' the bearing surface is constantly supplied with lubricant andy maintained lat a. predeterminedtemf 'perature by means of the coolant in the-other chamber of'. said reservoirA housing, r the coolant being. in direct contact with the 'exterior -of said bushing, two of said inwardly extending flanges being located at the ends of said reservoir, and

the other of said inwardly extending flanges being vided with oppositely located apertures for lubricant conduits and for coolant conduits,

7. In a liquid cooled bearing of the reservoir type, the combination of a bearing bushing having its bearing surface provided with grooves and having apertures leading from certain of said grooves through said bushing, said apertures and said grooves being lled with an initially plastic porous lubricant conducting compound baked in place, and a reservoir body, said reservoir body having three inwardly extending flanges separated by annular chambers, and said inwardly extending anges terminating at the Walls of aligned bores for receiving said bushing, said bushing having a liquid-tight frictional iit in said bores, single conduit means communicating with one of said chambers to provide a supply of lubricant, and inlet and outlet conduit means communicating with the other of said chambers to supply a liquid coolant, said porous carbon conducting members in said apertures communicating with that portion of the reservoir housing having the rst-mentioned chamber for lubricant whereby the bearing surface is constantly supplied with lubricant and maintained at a predetermined temperature by means of the coolant in the other chamber of said reservoir housing, the coolant being in direct contact with the exterior of said bushing, two of said inwardly extending flanges being located at the ends of said reservoir, and the other of said inwardly extending flanges being located intermediate the ends, and means for supporting said reservoir, comprising a pair of housing members, said housing members being formed With a pair of annular partially spherical engaging surfaces, and said reservoir having complementary engaging surfaces of greater width whereby the reservoir is mounted for universal movement in the housing, said housing being provided with oppositely located apertures for lubricant conduits and for coolant conduits, and said apertures being of enlarged size with respect to said conduits to permit the universal movement of the reservoir member.

8. In a self -lubricating liquid cooled bearing, the combination of a bearing bushing provided with grooves and through conduits communicating with said grooves, said grooves and through conduits being lled with porous carbon lubricant conducting composition, a reservoir member having a pair of aligned bores for engaging the outside of said bushing, said reservoir member having an enlargement formed intermediate its ends, and said enlargement having a pair of recesses formed therein to form chambers when said reservoir is secured about said bushing, one of said chambers connecting with said through apertures in said bushing, and the other of said chambers having inlet and outlet ports for admission and discharge of cooling liquid, said chambers being separated by a partition engaging the outside of said bushing, whereby both the lubricant and coolant may be located in said chambers, the former being in communication with said porous carbon conducting composition, and the latter being in direct contact With the exterior o said bushing.

R. H. WHITELEY. 

